Organisers insist Mexico GP will go ahead

Mexican Grand Prix organisers say next month's Formula One race in Mexico City will go ahead as planned despite the capital being hit by its deadliest natural disaster in three decades. USA Today reports that at least 270 people have been killed - and the death toll is expected to rise.

But the Mexico grand prix spokesman said formula one has the green light for now.

Federico Gonzalez, managing director of the Mexican GP, said it was "lucky" that the circuit was not damaged and that the motorsport community's main priority is the "recovery of the city".

Rodrigo Sanchez, marketing head of the Autodromo Hermanos Rodrigues, said the track was not damaged.

"We need to remain together in the bad and the good, not only in the bad".

"We released all our personnel from work so they can spend some time with their families, but the moment everybody is back we will continue with the setup of the circuit for the Grand Prix".

Dozens of buildings have collapsed, including more than 40 in Mexico City alone, and citizens and rescue workers have been working through the rubble in search of survivors.

Chase Carey, Formula 1's chairman and CEO, and FIA president Jean Todt joined drivers in paying tribute to those people affected by the natural disaster.

Mexican businessman Carlos Slim, who's patriotic driver programme helped propel Force India driver Sergio Perez into F1, is supporting relief efforts by pledging five pesos for every peso donated - a pledge also matched by Perez himself. Perez, 27, is now the only Mexican driver on the F1 grid and the poster boy for his home race.

Perez wrote on social media: "I'm deeply concerned about what my country is living".

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